New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-08-03


called Indian peak, at the top Of which
ment survey signals, After ..making
the rounds Of the gold mines we set
out to make the ascent Of this noun
tain, and after a somewhat laborious
climb succeeded in getting to the top.
From this commanding outlook we
were rewarded for our pains by most
fascinating picture of mountain seen
cry. Far below us smooth we'll.
rounded peak of unpretending height,
covered with q rich green turf and
handsomely adorned with live oak, APP
pealed to the Imagination as the ideal
of pleasure resort But this grassy
mount, SO refreshingly green and so
happily decorated by natures careless
art. was not .'alone in its glory" The
writer counted more than fifty Just
such or similar mountain lawns rising
one above another in various directions
until their outlines made up an i'm
mense latticework between the earth
and the sky-the more distant eleva-
tons being lost in the clouds some
thirty miles away. Added to this, the
snow-clad peaks Of the Sierras could
be seen glistening in the east at a still
greater distance and the San Joaquin
valley, as viewed between the heights,
stretched away to the west till lost in
the distant horizon. Great fleecy
clouds rolled their white chariots about
our heads and dark nimbus storm
bearer hung in solemn grandeur over
the distant peaks-all uniting to con-
tinue the elements of romance and
.sublimity in unrivaled proportions.
Yesterday morning we started out
from Grub Gulch (Which, by the way,
the express company has tried in vain
to rob Of its historical associations by
calling it Oakwood) and proceeded to
climb the hills that rose up before us
in endless succession. The mountain
Gus country through which we passed
possessed an interesting fora, and pre-
sented a number of charming views,
besides an occasional novelty like the
wooden fume many miles in length,
used for rafting lumber down the
mountains. Progress, however, was
too slow to make the days journey ex-
citing and the glow of emotion with
which we hailed the open valley that
revealed the lights of Big Tree station
will be recalled hereafter as the bright
experience OF this part of the trip.
Here we rested for the night This
morning after an uphill ride Of a dozen
miles, in which was seen a fine herd of
deer crossing the road just in front of
us, we reached the summit of the
mountains-over a mile above the sea
level. Some conception of the amount.
OF climbing performed, however, may
be inferred from the fact that, in the
last II miles alone, we gained but 1853
feet OF altitude out of the 1,642 that we
had actually risen. At this station re-
freshments were served up to the party
by an old trapper and his fraternity,
who provided, in their rude cabin the
only hotel accommodations between
Big Trees and the Yosemite.
During our repast we learned some.
thing of the peculiar life Of this soli-
tude. Among our interesting incidents
OF the place there was once a herd of
deer rowing about in these mountain
Wllds that made 1T a part of the daily
programme to visit the old cabin on the
summit. Having here received their
usual allowance of salt and regaed
their appetites at the festive slop-pan.
they returned to their mountain fast
nesses, seemingly satisfied with the bill
OF fare provided by their good -natured
host. These were at least the feelings
which we entertained as we took our
leave and sped away down from the
heights along a precipitous trail toward
the valley. After advancing several
miles we reached an opening in the al
most interminable forest whence our
eyes were greeted by another beautiful
panorama OF mountain scenery. Be-
yond the deep picturesque gorge on the
verge of which the mountain roadway
extends for several miles, could be
seen hills and mountains rolling away,
one above another, far in the distance.
and even the coast range, at least a
hundred miles to the west, standing in
dim outline against the sky But be-
hold. What is this? All at once we
reach the height overlooking the val
ley. A sign board discloses the fact
that we are on the Peak of Inspiration.
1t is, however a precipice rather than
a peak. But in the manner of inspira
ton there could be no question, as the
Yosemite unfolded it's robes of match
less beauty before Us.
Here, facing us from the opposite
side Of the valley, is huge promon-
tory of granite, having smooth, polish
ed sides. handsomely striped with
peculiar tints Of light and shade, and
rising to the height.of fifteen Bunker
Hill monuments or seven of Eevpt's
highest pyramids This we at once
recognize as the El Captain OF which
Prof. Whitney wrote: sIt is doub
if anywhere in the world is presented
so squ:trely cut, SO lofty. and so i'm
posing a face of rock" AS we stand
looking in wonder at this massive pile,
"a beautiful silvery eloua settles down
upon its summit and presents, in the
light of the sinking sun, a halo of inde-
scribable beauty browning the s.Great
chief Of the valley Descending along
tortuous trail in the form of a wind
ing staircase, we soon cross the path of
the. rock avalanche that recently
tore nr, trooS